before we received

USAGE SUMMARY

"before we received" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has happened before a certain time. For example, "We hadn't heard from our family before we received the news that they were safe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It was 30 minutes before we received any bread.

The New York Times

A few more minutes passed before we received a plate of squid and a hasty apology.

The New York Times - Food

We hadn't had time to read the summary, and it was another month before we received the full report, which filled six lever-arch files.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was then a further delay before we received a letter from Axa, once again disallowing the claim, this time on medical grounds.

The Guardian - Money

But it was another six months before we received Amin's approval from the American mission chief — and that was just the starting point.

The New York Times

Almost four months had passed before we received an e-mail that read in part, "Thanks so much for your wedding present".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"As we have said before, we have received interest from potential investors in the team," Brett Yormark, chief executive of Nets Sports and Entertainment, said in a statement released Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

A scattershot monologue by Delancey opens the proceedings, before we receive Odette's more lucid transmission.

The New Yorker

The government has passed three supplementary budgets, but it could be another two years before we receive any compensation.

The Guardian

Put simply, it means that most of us will have to pay out far more money before we receive government help than appeared to be the case a year ago.

The Guardian - Opinion

She added, "There's a prayer that we say as Catholics before we receive the eucharist: 'Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.' I have that prayer very much in my heart.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before we received", ensure the context clearly indicates what was received and the time frame involved. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using past perfect tense unnecessarily after "before we received" if the sequence of events is already clear. Stick to simple past tense for subsequent actions unless emphasizing a prior action is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before we received" functions as an adverbial clause, modifying the main clause by specifying when an action or state occurred in relation to the act of receiving something. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples where this phrase introduces a condition or circumstance preceding a specific event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before we received" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial clause that establishes a temporal relationship indicating an event occurred prior to receiving something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media, formal business documents, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what was received and the relevant time frame. While grammatically correct, simpler alternatives might be preferable in casual contexts. Be mindful of unnecessary past perfect tense usage after the phrase. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "before we received" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to our receiving

Emphasizes the temporal precedence using a more formal tone and gerund form.

leading up to when we got

Uses a more conversational and descriptive approach to highlight the events before the reception.

in anticipation of our receipt

Focuses on the expectation and preparation before something was received using more formal vocabulary.

until we obtained

Highlights the state of lacking something up to the point of obtaining it.

preceding our acceptance

Emphasizes the events or conditions that existed before the act of accepting something.

in advance of us getting

Stresses the preparatory actions taken before the acquisition.

previous to our acquiring

A more formal way to express the time before something was acquired.

ahead of our taking delivery of

Focuses on the period before the physical delivery of something.

antedating our possession of

A highly formal and less common way to describe events before possessing something.

the time before we secured

Highlights the period before something was successfully secured or obtained.

FAQs

How can I use "before we received" in a sentence?

Use "before we received" to indicate that an action or event happened prior to obtaining something. For example, "We made several revisions before we received the final approval."

What's the difference between "before we received" and "after we received"?

"Before we received" indicates a time period preceding the receipt of something, while "after we received" indicates a time period following the receipt. They are opposite in their temporal relation.

What can I say instead of "before we received" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "prior to our receiving" or "in anticipation of our receipt". These alternatives add a layer of sophistication depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "before we had received" instead of "before we received"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "before we received" is often simpler and more direct. "Before we had received" emphasizes that the receiving action was completed before another past action, which may not always be necessary.